SyracuseNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94SyracuseThu, 24 Nov 2016 08:56:16 +0000Syracusehttp://wrvo.org
Catherine LoperThe Salvation Army’s Christmas Bureau in Syracuse is wrapping up registration for this holiday season. The yearly food and toy giveaway can be a harbinger of the local economy. The number of people signing up for this year’s toy and food giveaway looks to be about the same as last year, according to Salvation Army Executive Director Linda Lopez. And she says that shows her that there are still hundreds of central New York families that need some help getting through the holidays. "I think we continue to see not only families who may be unemployed, but we also see a lot of families who are working at jobs that don’t afford them enough resources to celebrate Christmas with their families,” said Lopez. She says the next hurdle is collecting donations. “Donations are always a challenge. There’s lots of things going on in our community. We want to make sure we have enough toys for every child and food for everyone. I think food donations in particular are a little bit lower than we’d likeSyracuse Christmas Bureau on pace to help same number of families as last yearhttp://wrvo.org/post/syracuse-christmas-bureau-pace-help-same-number-families-last-year
96389 as http://wrvo.orgWed, 23 Nov 2016 09:58:00 +0000Syracuse Christmas Bureau on pace to help same number of families as last yearTom Magnarelli Three more tiny homes for homeless veterans have been built on Syracuse’s south side. The nonprofit, A Tiny Home for Good, finished their first two homes earlier this year.3 more tiny homes for homeless veterans built in Syracusehttp://wrvo.org/post/3-more-tiny-homes-homeless-veterans-built-syracuse
96053 as http://wrvo.orgTue, 15 Nov 2016 09:38:00 +00003 more tiny homes for homeless veterans built in SyracuseEllen Abbott The city of Syracuse hopes to use innovative ideas from its Civic Data Hackathon to improve the strategies for fixing potholes. Winners of the Syracuse Roads Challenge focused on using data to create a more comprehensive picture of the pothole problem the city faces. If the city follows through with Stephen Shaffer’s idea called Scout, you’ll be able to use the Facebook messenger app to take a picture of a pothole, and send it to the city. It will be centrally stored and used by DPW crews as they prioritize pothole repairs. Shaffer chose the Facebook chat platform, because it’s easier and cheaper than developing a standalone pothole app. “Chat space is very good for short-lived experience. I’m going to talk to the bot for a second. It might be 15 seconds. If I had to download an app, I may have never participated. So that’s why the chat format works well, and messenger works well because it’s widely available,” said Shaffer. It’s ideas like this that Mayor Stephanie Miner says pullsUsing social media to combat potholeshttp://wrvo.org/post/using-social-media-combat-potholes
95317 as http://wrvo.orgFri, 28 Oct 2016 08:36:00 +0000Using social media to combat potholesTom Magnarelli Democratic congressional candidate Colleen Deacon took part in a Latino business roundtable at the Spanish Action League in Syracuse Monday as part of her campaign against incumbent Rep. John Katko. Deacon brought Congressman Xavier Becerra of California to listen to the problems facing the local Latino community. Poverty, education and housing ranked at the top of the list. In terms of what a member of Congress can do, Becerra gave the same answer to many of the issues. “You can’t solve every problem and tackle every challenge by yourself, but you can sure bring the right people to the table,” Becerra said. So when the problems of getting Latinos more small business loans and Section 8 housing discrimination came up, Becerra said a member of Congress can invite the heads of relevant federal agencies to see the problems themselves. Deacon said that is something she would absolutely want to do. “The more attention we can bring to this district, the more people we can get to come toLatino community in Syracuse tells Deacon their concerns on poverty, educationhttp://wrvo.org/post/latino-community-syracuse-tells-deacon-their-concerns-poverty-education
94375 as http://wrvo.orgTue, 04 Oct 2016 08:45:00 +0000Latino community in Syracuse tells Deacon their concerns on poverty, educationJulia Botero The Watertown City Council is considering a new law that would require landlords to register their rental properties with the city. Homes would then be subject to inspection every three years. Councilman Steve Jennings says the measure will help improve the city’s housing, but landlords say the measure goes too far. At their weekly meeting, the Watertown City Council listened for almost two hours as one landlord after the other voiced concern over the proposal. Pat Henry is a renter and former landlord. He said while he understands the motivation behind the measure, he sees it as an overreach by city government. “This is one more interference that the government can have on your private life, on your private property, in your apartment, in your home," said Henry. Henry said he hadn’t yet read the full proposal but still questions whether it’s necessary. He said the city already has a code enforcement department that ensures houses around the city are safe. “I don’t think we need a newWatertown's latest effort to fix blight: mandatory rental inspectionshttp://wrvo.org/post/watertowns-latest-effort-fix-blight-mandatory-rental-inspections
92542 as http://wrvo.orgThu, 18 Aug 2016 08:56:46 +0000Watertown's latest effort to fix blight: mandatory rental inspectionsEllen Abbott The Onondaga County Legislature has solidified the future of minor league baseball in Syracuse. Lawmakers agreed Tuesday on a new deal for the Syracuse Chiefs to rent the county-owned NBT Bank Stadium for the next decade. The Chiefs will pay $200,000 a year in rent to Onondaga County under the new contract agreed to by lawmakers. That’s an increase of $44,000 a year. But the county in turn will pay utility and maintenance costs at the stadium for the duration of the deal which runs through 2026. Legislature Chairman Ryan McMahon expects county costs to be between $150,000 to $250,000 a year. “It is a concession,” said McMahon. “It is a concession worth making to make sure we have a baseball team here.” McMahon says it’s a win-win for the Chiefs and for the county. “They’re about, close to breaking even this year. This concession will help them. And at the same time it’s not going to hurt our existing budget here in the county,” he said. The team needs the help, because it continues toChiefs staying in Syracuse after signing a 10-year agreement with Onondaga Countyhttp://wrvo.org/post/chiefs-staying-syracuse-after-signing-10-year-agreement-onondaga-county
91915 as http://wrvo.orgWed, 03 Aug 2016 10:28:10 +0000Chiefs staying in Syracuse after signing a 10-year agreement with Onondaga CountyGrant ReeherPoetry in America, and around the world, has undergone a lot of change in recent years. This week on the Campbell Conversations host Grant Reeher provides a break from politics to speak with the Syracuse-based poet Christopher Citro, the author of The Maintenance of the Shimmy-Shammy. They discuss poetry’s recent history, new developments in poetry, Citro’s own approach toward writing, and poetry’s appreciation and fun. Christopher Citro on the Campbell Conversationshttp://wrvo.org/post/christopher-citro-campbell-conversations
91828 as http://wrvo.orgSat, 30 Jul 2016 14:52:58 +0000Christopher Citro on the Campbell ConversationsTom Magnarelli A Syracuse police officer has been cleared by a grand jury of any wrongdoing in the fatal shooting of an armed woman. Police officers Darrin Ettinger and Jeremy Decker were called to the scene back in February on a complaint of drug dealing. Upon arriving, the woman, brandishing a sawed-off shotgun, ran away from police officers, who told her multiple times to drop her weapon. The woman turned and pivoted towards Decker, pointing the gun in his direction. Ettinger fired two shots that hit the woman. Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick said he has been asked if lethal force was necessary. “This was not an appropriate situation to use a taser," Fitzpatirck said. "This was a woman with a loaded, illegal shotgun that was pivoting to turn in the judgment of Officer Ettinger and in the judgment of any fair person looking at that tape, to point the gun in the direction of Officer Decker. I honestly don’t know as I’m standing here if whether or not Officer Decker had aSyracuse police officer cleared by grand jury in fatal shootinghttp://wrvo.org/post/syracuse-police-officer-cleared-grand-jury-fatal-shooting
88989 as http://wrvo.orgThu, 26 May 2016 01:30:59 +0000Syracuse police officer cleared by grand jury in fatal shootingEllen Abbott Work behind the scenes continues as the New York State Department of Transportation moves towards removing or replacing the crumbling Interstate 81 viaduct that cuts through the heart of Syracuse. The community has been talking about this for years now -- what to do when the viaduct that brings I-81 through Syracuse comes to the end of its lifespan next year. Work on deciding future of I-81 continues behind the sceneshttp://wrvo.org/post/work-deciding-future-i-81-continues-behind-scenes
88860 as http://wrvo.orgMon, 23 May 2016 08:06:00 +0000Work on deciding future of I-81 continues behind the scenesEllen Abbott The city of Syracuse is staying out of fiscal stress, based on a system developed by the New York state comptroller’s office. The city has never been flagged by Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli for having a government teetering towards insolvency. “In the three years we’ve been doing this, Syracuse has never been in any stress categories and that certainly is very good news for this community,” said DiNapoli during a visit to Syracuse Monday. For 2015, Syracuse earned a score of 32.5, giving it a “no designation” classification. That compares to some troubled municipalities that fall into the “significant,” “moderate” or “susceptible to stress” categories. DiNapoli says Syracuse received good scores in part because of increases in its bond rating; service agreements with local not-for profit institutions; and the practice of paying off debt in time and in full. He applauds the Miner administration for being realistic when it comes to revenue. "The mayor has prudently offered conservativeDespite some budget issues, Syracuse stays out of 'fiscal stress'http://wrvo.org/post/despite-some-budget-issues-syracuse-stays-out-fiscal-stress
88344 as http://wrvo.orgTue, 10 May 2016 08:36:00 +0000Despite some budget issues, Syracuse stays out of 'fiscal stress'Tom Magnarelli Onondaga County and the city of Syracuse have applied for funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to continue a lead paint removal program. The city has be unsuccessful in its last two attempts at funding since its program was put on probation in 2013. Syracuse makes third attempt at funding its lead paint removal programhttp://wrvo.org/post/syracuse-makes-third-attempt-funding-its-lead-paint-removal-program
88186 as http://wrvo.orgMon, 09 May 2016 08:24:00 +0000Syracuse makes third attempt at funding its lead paint removal programTom MagnarelliThe Syracuse Fire Department has confirmed six people died in a fire that started early Friday morning on the city's north side. Officials said eight people lived in the home. A 33-year-old male was not home at the time of the fire. A 32-year-old woman was home when the fire started but was able to get out. She was taken to a hospital. A seven-year-old girl died as well as three boys ages 10, 12, and 13. A 33-year-old man and a 34-year-old man also died in the fire. Two of the bodies were found downstairs and four were found upstairs. Officials said the fire on Martin Street was reported at 3:51 a.m. When firefighters arrived they attempted to enter the front of the two-story home but the porch roof collapsed and they were forced to retreat. The flames were put out about 30 minutes later. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Syracuse fire claims 6 lives, including 4 childrenhttp://wrvo.org/post/syracuse-fire-claims-6-lives-including-4-children
88222 as http://wrvo.orgFri, 06 May 2016 18:30:31 +0000Syracuse fire claims 6 lives, including 4 childrenTom Magnarelli Rep. John Katko (R-Camillus) laid out a plan he and others in Washington are working on to fight poverty across the nation. Katko visited one of the poorest neighborhoods in Syracuse Tuesday to hear from residents and explain what he thinks will help solve the problem. Theotis Wallace, 23, dropped out of high school in 10th grade. He lives on the south side, is trying to take care of his son and is thinking about going back to school at Bryant and Straton College, which Katko encouraged him to do. “The struggle is hard, finding a job around 17, 16 years old," Wallace said. "I’m trying to lift it up off the ground and keep the positivity rolling.” His desire to see a better future is shared by many in this community of vacant homes with broken glass on the sidewalks and abandoned TV’s, mattresses and couches on the curbs. Katko is on a task force in the House Republican conference working on a poverty package, a series of legislation that will address the issue. At its heart is taxKatko lays out plan to fight poverty by lowering manufacuturing tax ratehttp://wrvo.org/post/katko-lays-out-plan-fight-poverty-lowering-manufacuturing-tax-rate
88070 as http://wrvo.orgWed, 04 May 2016 08:09:00 +0000Katko lays out plan to fight poverty by lowering manufacuturing tax rateEllen Abbott Syracuse is getting some federal funds that will help youth transition from the criminal system back into society. Twenty-four-year-old David Lefler was in and out of the Jamesville Correctional Facility for several years. He says it was hard to stay out of trouble once jail became a way of life. "If you really don’t care, then it’s just going to keep happening,” Lefler says. “You’re going to hang out with the wrong person, and next thing you know you’re in a car with a bag of dope and you’re going to jail.” What turned it around for him was hitting bottom and being able to transition into a program offered by the Center for Community Alternatives in Syracuse. "You’ve got to want to stay out of jail, and be a contributing member of society instead of a thug running the streets. And I learned that in the past year,” Lefler says. Now he has a job and is able to see his three-year-old son once a week. Lefler says he’s happy. These success stories can become more common, according to theFederal grant will help Syracuse youth transition from criminal system to societyhttp://wrvo.org/post/federal-grant-will-help-syracuse-youth-transition-criminal-system-society
87767 as http://wrvo.orgWed, 27 Apr 2016 09:08:50 +0000Federal grant will help Syracuse youth transition from criminal system to societyEllen Abbott The city of Syracuse is putting a technology called SQUID into use this month, which is meant to help city hall make smarter choices when it comes to fixing crumbling streets. SQUID – or Street Quality Identification Device – is a tiny contraption that sits on the bed of a pickup truck used by the Syracuse Department of Public Works, designed to measure the quality of the streets of Syracuse. Varun Adibhatla is project director of ARGO labs, which came up with the technology. He says Syracuse is the first city to use it. "The device takes a picture of the street every second, which combines with accelerometer data, which measures the ride quality. So you have a more complete way of viewing street quality across the city,” said Adibhatla. It comes with a $3,000 price tag, well worth it, according to Mayor Stephanie Miner. "This is the kind of data that can … extend the life of that street for another five and ten years, and you don’t have to mill and pave the entire 400 miles ofSQUID to give Syracuse better feel for needed road repairshttp://wrvo.org/post/squid-give-syracuse-better-feel-needed-road-repairs
87720 as http://wrvo.orgTue, 26 Apr 2016 08:27:00 +0000SQUID to give Syracuse better feel for needed road repairsTom Magnarelli The presidential candidates and their surrogates traveled throughout upstate this weekend, trying to drum up support and encourage New Yorkers to vote for them in Tuesday's primary. Meanwhile, more than 250 people protested outside Donald Trump’s rally in Syracuse on Saturday. Many were students upset with Trump's language on immigration.Hundreds of protesters demonstrate outside of Trump rally in Syracusehttp://wrvo.org/post/hundreds-protesters-demonstrate-outside-trump-rally-syracuse
87344 as http://wrvo.orgSat, 16 Apr 2016 21:58:17 +0000Hundreds of protesters demonstrate outside of Trump rally in SyracuseEllen Abbott The walls are up on the first tiny homes in Syracuse. And they will be used in the fight against homelessness. Volunteers erected walls on two 300 square foot tiny homes in a low income neighborhood on the city’s south side. The roof and indoor work comes next, and Tiny Homes for Good executive director Andrew Lunetta expects the first residents to move in by the end of May. "So you walk in, and have a full Murphy bed. There will be a walled-off bathroom and a small kitchenette." Across the country, the tiny home movement is a trend where people choose to live simply in a very small house. The difference in Syracuse is these structures will be home to someone who would otherwise be living on the street. "A lot of people would look at 300 square feet and say, wow, my garage is bigger than that. But for guys that have for the last decade maybe been living two feet away from another guy in a shelter bed, this is something special.” Volunteers are fashioning the tiny homes so there areNew houses hope to fight homelessness a tiny step at a timehttp://wrvo.org/post/new-houses-hope-fight-homelessness-tiny-step-time
87225 as http://wrvo.orgThu, 14 Apr 2016 08:24:00 +0000New houses hope to fight homelessness a tiny step at a timeTom Magnarelli Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is pushing for upstate New York votes before the state’s primary on April 19. During a visit to Syracuse on Friday, Clinton focused on creating jobs and raising incomes, two issues pertinent to central New York and the rest of upstate.Clinton pushes for upstate NY votes before primaryhttp://wrvo.org/post/clinton-pushes-upstate-ny-votes-primary
86687 as http://wrvo.orgMon, 04 Apr 2016 08:10:00 +0000Clinton pushes for upstate NY votes before primaryWRVO NewsDemocratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton will be in Syracuse Friday for two events, her campaign announced Wednesday. The former senator, who represented New York, will hold a roundtable discussion on her plan to support manufacturing jobs. The time and location for the discussion has not yet been announced. On Friday afternoon, Clinton will hold a grassroots organizing event for supporters at the Central New York Regional Market. That event starts at 2:00 p.m. Clinton's swing through central New York comes in advance of New York's presidential primary on April 19. The most recent poll from Siena College shows Clinton with a 21-point lead over her Democratic opponent, Sen. Bernie Sanders from Vermont. That poll was released on March 7. A poll from Quinnipiac University released Thursday morning shows Clinton with a 12-point lead over Sanders. Sanders has called for a debate with Clinton in New York ahead of the primary, but nothing has been scheduled. Clinton to campaign in Syracuse Fridayhttp://wrvo.org/post/clinton-campaign-syracuse-friday
86510 as http://wrvo.orgWed, 30 Mar 2016 20:40:05 +0000Clinton to campaign in Syracuse FridayTom Magnarelli In 2014, Donald Trump attended a Republican fundraiser in Syracuse as he floated the idea of running for governor of New York. Some of the talking points and style Trump now uses on the presidential campaign trail can be heard in that earlier speech. Trump speech in Syracuse from 2014 echoes his current campaign stylehttp://wrvo.org/post/trump-speech-syracuse-2014-echoes-his-current-campaign-style
86262 as http://wrvo.orgFri, 25 Mar 2016 08:17:00 +0000Trump speech in Syracuse from 2014 echoes his current campaign style